Rebetol
Ribavirin
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Rebetol
Rebetol relates to an antiviral class of the medication. The medication acts by decreasing the amount of hepatitis C virus in the body.
Therapeutic Uses of Rebetol
The medication is intended to treat ongoing hepatitis C in combination with interferon. But the medicine itself doesn’t cure the hepatitis in the body and it cannot prevent the further spread of the hepatitis C virus to the other people via sexual contact or blood contamination.
The medication may also be used in order to treat severe acute respiratory syndrome (also known as SARS) but only in case your healthcare provider prescribes you to do so.
Attention! The use of the drug within pregnancy period may lead to certain birth defects of the newborn baby. Be sure of using at least 2 types of the birth control within the therapy period and in 6 month after the therapy. The patients experiencing certain heart disease shouldn’t use the medication as it may cause anemia and consequently lead to fatal heart attack.
The drug is not to be used alone with an aim to treat hepatitis C virus.
Direction of use of Rebetol
Carefully read the leaflet enclosed to the drug before starting it use. In case anything remains unclear – contact your healthcare provider.
The drug is to be measured carefully with the help of medication spoon or cup. The drug is to be used orally two times a day within one or two days or in accordance to your healthcare provider directions. The medication may be taken within as well before or after the meal however it is quite important to use the drug only in one way. In case you use the drug in combination with the peginterferon that you should use it within the meal.
Your healthcare provider prescribes you the dosage and the period of the therapy in accordance to your medical condition and the response to the treatment.
Antiviral drugs commonly provide the best effect when its amount in the body remains at the same level within the therapy period. Thus it is advised to use the drug at equal periods of time. In order to manage with this take the drug at the same time every day.
It is also advised to drinks lots of water within the treatment period as this will contribute to reducing any possible side effects of the medication.
Dose of Rebetol, if Missed
In case you have missed to take the drug you should it at the time you have remembered about it, however you should skip the dosage missed and follow your common dosing schedule in case it already a time for your next dosage. Avoid taking two doses at once.
How to Store Rebetol
The drug is to be stored at the temperature of 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) or in the refrigerator at the temperature between 36-46 degrees F (2-8 degrees C) in a dark and dry place beyond the reach of the children and the pets. The medication is not to be frozen. It is also allowed to store the drug at the temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) within a short period of time.
The drug shouldn’t be flushed into the toilet in case your therapy period is over or you don’t need it anymore. Contact your healthcare provider to find out details about how to discard the medication in a proper way.
More Information About Rebetol
Your healthcare provider may already be aware about the drugs you use and possible drug interactions that may occur and monitor you for them. Thus it is not advised to start, stop or change somehow the dosage of the drug taken without previous talk to your doctor.
Before starting the therapy let your doctor know about all the medication you use at the moment and especially about those below: antacids, certain anti-HIV drugs, didanosine.
In case you experience overdose contact your healthcare provider at once.
Avoid sharing the medication with the others.
Your doctor may prescribe you various medical or lab tests within the therapy period in order to monitor your condition and the response to the therapy.
The medication should be used only to treat one medical condition. It is prohibited to use the drug in order to treat any other medical conditions without previous talk to your doctor.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Rebetol
Before starting the therapy let your doctor know about any allergies you have.
Moreover this drug is not to be used I case you experience any of the conditions below: other types of hepatitis, blood disorders, kidney disease. Thus talk to your doctor about it before starting the treatment.
Before starting the therapy let your doctor know:
- your medical history and especially in case you have ever had any of the conditions below: other liver problems, heart disease, high blood pressure, breathing problems, pancreas problems, diabetes;
- in case you are pregnant or within breast-feeding period. The use of the drug within these periods may be dangerous. You should use proper birth control means within the treatment period and within 6 month after it.
The patients in ages as well as children may be more sensitive to the drug thus they should use it with a care.
Possible Adverse Effects
The use of the drug may cause various side effects like: nausea, diarrhea, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, blurred vision, trouble sleeping, flu-like symptoms, cough, hair loss, low appetite, weight loss or gain, dry skin, and changes in taste/hearing.
Contact your healthcare provider in case any of the above mentioned side effects remain for a long period of time or worsen.
Furthermore the use of Rebetol may cause certain tooth and gum problems. It is advised to drink plenty of liquid, brush your teeth and visit a dentist on a regular basis in order to prevent such side effect. In case you often have vomiting then it advised to substitute tooth brushing with mouth rinsing.
Let your doctor know immediately in case:
- you experience any of the serious side effects below: unusual tiredness/weakness, fast heartbeat, trouble breathing, mental changes, muscle/joint pain, easy bruising/bleeding, dark urine, yellowing of eyes/skin;
- you have any of these too rare but serious side effects: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, stomach/lower back pain, black/bloody stools;
- you experience any allergic reaction that is commonly quite rare to occur. The possible sign of the allergic reaction are rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
Contact your doctor in case you have any other side effect not listed above.